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"I have learned already never to empty the well of my writing."
-Ernest Hemingway
-Ernest Hemingway
10/8/2018 1 Comment Composing a Past Scene Part TwoComposing a past scene reflecting on when a person or your actions affected your life is this week’s blog. We also used last weeks blog https://www.weebly.com/editor/main.php#/as a reference . We all have something in our life that affected us, made us pause, and changed direction in our lives. It could be a speed bump or a wall. By reflecting on what action affected you negatively you will understand and can deal with them better next time.
I woke up on a grey dreary rainy day feeling a thousand percent great some years ago. WOW! I am glad I thought. I sprung out of bed struggling too find my outfit too wear today. Crap was all over in my room. When I was not feeling good stuff in my piece of mind, comfortable place away from all my stress room showed it. Can’t find shit. Especially today a very important day. Last night I was sick as hell I got that yucky who wants it stomach virus. I spent the night with a blanket, head in toilet. Well I was throwing all the content of my stomach and beyond. I thought about my new life I was starting. My mom my cheerleader who’s always there for me despite the smell and plain disgustness was in a chair next to the bathroom with me all night. That was our night. You can say the storm before the rainbow kind of day. So after finally digging threw stuff I found my new outfit. I felt great ready anticipating feeling new and happy. I felt too good I thought. I have had things in my pass not going this great. Either there has been speed bumps or giant walls. I have either gone over a little hurt or completely smashed apart. Today I was ready to go to my future, new school, new basketball team, with a chance too play in a division one college. I was going too stay with my dad in New Jersey. New Jersey was out of where I grew up and lived all my life too this point. The town where I grew up I knew everybody good or bad influence and where I felt I was going too hit a speed bump or about too hit a wall I could not climb over. I would be broken up into little pieces. My mom for me forgot her issues and hatred for my dad and only wanted the best for me. She would sacrifice for me and felt New Jersey was the right place. I was her right hand I helped her with everything she depended on me. It was a love hate dependent relationship. I loved her, but I really needed my own life. Since my dad left I stepped in and did all that was expected of me. My own life was on a big pause. So, I left for my dad’s, everything was amazing, no speed bumps or walls. I was living my best life being a star basketball player a great student and amazing friend. I felt like a star and I was adjusting great this went on and on til…. the phone rang after school. My dad told me to come home. On the way home, it got dark out and it rained. My bag was packed, and the cab was called, and I went to the train station. I rushed back to my mom at the hospital. Slipping down her stairs wearing socks, she got forgot what she told us no socks only slippers. Broken leg, hip, me staying overnight in the hospital with her for months, until rehab. Cheering her on during months of rehab. I did not want to leave her ending up with drawling from high school, basketball and life in general. My mom did not want me to come home. I would never be able to concentrate. I figured this would happen to myself, back when I was sick my new life seems to be too good to be true! Mom, since she had depended on me before and really did not trust anybody else I ended up being her full-time caretaker. All my dreams and my life were on hold. Mom, although push me too go back but I new part of her did not want that. She would say “I’m Fine do not worry about me”! Guilt worry and love for her I had to stay. Wash dress cook clean on and on for a couple years I did do one thing I got my GED. My dreams were on hold not done routine day in and day out mom got better she was independent now. Time for my life to start again fearful and nervous it started, I was older. I felt different in my mind and body I walked out my mom doors too a dream that was stopped but not forgotten.
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9/30/2018 1 Comment Composing a Past SceneMy blog is on The Yellow Wall-Paper (Charlotte Perkins Stetson) . It is about confinement, and prevention of doing the things you love. This can be from yourself or well-intentioned loved ones. Your actions can cause their reactions. In the end though your actions intentional or not can cause you problems in your life.
Wait! What happen? I was just writing great textbooks, articles in magazines and lecturing. Woman especially would love too to come see me talk. We are in a time where woman was thought of not equal too men. Economically socially and medically behind men in society. Woman who felt below men would flock too my talk and buy my books. They would also but my magazines too read my articles. I loved my life of writing. I had a great husband, doctor and sister, they supported me until after I had the baby. I got so sad and worried from lack of sleep and not being able too do my beloved writing that was my life. Everyone worried about me they took me too my male doctor who has preconceived ideas of female minds. Take her away, put her in a nice setting, take away all her writing stuff, rest in bed nothing else! The doctor advised. Wait! What happen? Some kind of a jacket, I can not move my arms. I am in a room by myself. The noises of screaming mental closing, and loud talking upsets me. I am screaming out what’s going on here? Why am I here? I am not mentally ill! I am just going threw sadness from childbirth. The woman who read my books, magazines and come to my lectures understand me. Sadness comes over me, in a form of I am sweating and crying. Putting my hand over my ears is not possible because I am stuck in this jacket. Is this love? Really, I thought my husband and doctor was so wrong. I need to get back to my writing. I love basketball, played on so many teams. These teams were from elementary to eleventh grade. I traveled with my AAU teams all over. We played in a lot of tournaments. Playing with this group of guys year after year since I was young made us brothers a family. I also played two years in middle school and with the same group of guys two years in high school. These young men were the best. Are life being just basketball, school and video games and girls. We had no time to run the streets. In the summer I coached police athlete leagues with my stepdad, who was involved in my life since I was five. In eleventh grade I was sent to New Jersey to live with my dad. Because I was getting into too much trouble hanging out with the wrong people in Philadelphia. In New Jersey I played for and amazing high school Clearview high school, I did so well in basketball. Doing so well in basketball and getting good grades I got offered division one scholarships. Well a Clearview I still stayed in touch with my family and my basketball friends. I was homesick. I then moved back with my mom who was struggling financially. This struggle will not let me go on trips with my AAU team or hang out or generally have things I need. I was too embarrassed to be with my basketball family, so I hung with different not focused “get rich” quick guys. All this before I was seventeen. At seventeen I got in trouble with the law. Paint peeling hot smelly hell. I would after nine o clock when the door shut with aloud bang look at the ceiling with peeling paint and dirty area from a leak most of the night. I swore when I get out of here I am going back to playing basketball and going to school . 9/23/2018 4 Comments Composing Action into Scene This Weeks blog is how to write action into Bullet in the Brain (Tobias Wolff) Its’s not about writing a blow by blow action. You have to make the action in the scene real. Its not also about long talk. The reader has to stay interested. A fast paced, interesting, shorter sentence is best when writing. Anders rushed too the bank out of breath. He had to get to the bank before it closed. He pushed open the door and saw a long line. His occupation was a book critic which he did well picking apart the books like a lion does a gazelle. To him this line was another thing to criticize. It did not disappoint he was stuck between two loud talking woman. The teller did not happen matters making things worst with the usual this line is closed sign. More talking from the woman who tried to make Anders part of there complaint. Anders did not take the bait and instead criticize them sarcastically. At that point directions of woman and eyes turned, and it got quiet in the bank. Two figures in black ski masks with only eyes showing in suits was at the door. Anders notice the cold steel gun against the guard’s neck, who’s eyes were closed praying. A voice yelled out from the gunman telling everyone to be quiet, but no one was talking. Of course, being the critic, he was had to criticize the whole scary robbery. Buzzing sound rustling of money the robbers handed clear bags too the tellers who put money in them. Anders continue too talk until he got the attention of the ski masks robbers. Anders felt the cold gun against his chin making him look up at the ceiling at the bank he always ignored. At that moment after the gun man said a funny word “capiche” and a laugh came out of Anders. The gun went off. As the bullet smashed through all the parts of his brain Anders remembered not his adult life at all. A good memory of his childhood life flashed before his eyes then he died. Anders running to the bank before close, of course he is late as usual. Finishing one of the many boring books he must critique. He rushed in the bank and threw the doors open loudly. People looked toward the door startled. Anders cut threw people and went too the front of the line. Butting right in front of two woman who were deep in convo. Sign goes up in tellers window closed. Loudly sarcastic Anders looked to the woman and exclaim ha ha bad luck, right? Just then Anders phone rang he went too the side of the bank too answer it. Loudly so everyone can hear he said hi uncle Sam too his dad’s brother. Every time he talks to Sam they talk about childhood memories. Memories of the cracking of bats the smell of leather, sweat, running and sliding, the best times. Anders forgot where he was transported back to a happier time. Anders almost forgot he was in the bank when a loud bang brought him back to the bank. He was pissed because two robbers’ eyes only visible threw their masks and neatly dressed busted in and interrupted his phone convo. “What the hell? Really? I was on the phone!” Answering Anders by grabbing the bank guard and putting the gun in his neck. “Happy now?” Robbers yelled out. “Whatever” Anders yelled back. Boom, splat the bullet hit Anders brain slowing, destroying all his vital parts of the brain. As the bullet was traveling and destroying the last thought he had Anders was thinking of pleasant childhood memories, his happy place. It was a normal weather day that been happening lately. Gray outside rain hits your face and dreary type of weather. One of those days you want to go back to bed. So much boring stuff to do today, waiting in line stuffing bad food in your mouth, and feeling like a sardine on the bus. My self and most people daily routine. Worrying also about money, family, life, and job makes my body sweat, heart race, headaches and a horrible feeling comes upon you. This is a normal routine for me. I got up not thinking of all the good that can happen today, but will I get a break from life today? I see my mom in the kitchen: “Hey mom “I say “What’s up on this dreary gray day with you”. “I know something bad going to happen to me today”. She says,” son you always sound so sad and worry too much.” “Mom true, but you know what I been through.” She paused and said, “Of course but each day is different.” I think back on my life and tears welled up in my eyes what the hell was I thinking back then? My mom face looks concern now with her mouth looking watery and her mouth quivering. When the incident happens, her face was bright red tears following and she was wailing. I myself was very emotional and worried at that time. This worry and nervousness stay with me all the time. Today the dark dreary rainy day flooded my memory with all these bad thoughts. All of a sudden, the house shook hard for what seem like a minute but really it was on seconds. My mother and eye fell to the ground a glass vase fell off the mantel and broke! I thought to myself was this a sign of bad luck because the glass vase broke or a start of a new life.
9/11/2018 2 Comments Composing a Present SceneIn the two readings “What is creative nonfiction?” Lee Gutkind and “Making scenes in Memoir” Lee Martin. There are some good ideas about writing scenes. This is what my blog is about this week, writing a scene about my life creative nonfiction are facts based true stories written well. Memoirs are very popular and talk about your life and yourself. Scene writing are like building blocks finally building a whole writing. Constructing these scenes in a memoir require using dramatic event, use touch sight, hearing, smell no small talk major details slow down storytelling and build tension. Seeing bright lights, it’s like love and hope surrounding you, smelling funky sweat, cologne and perfume, hearing sounds of huffing and puffing, machines running, and music playing, I know I am in my happy place. My job at the gym being a personal trainer is my life. I walk into the gym right to my well used appointment book from my next travel adventure. I am about to start a new adventure a fun challenging exciting new experience for me. My client with a water bottle in hand comes in like and excited bright-eyed child ready for their first school trip. My hand on there shoulder guided them, encouraging them about the journey we are about too go on. We go on our trip discovering new things such as gym equipment. It’s like exploring the new land that is the gym land. I showed them all the land marks that has to be explored. They started the exploration. My voice gets louder cheering them on while the client is sweating and moving. I watch them carefully making sure there safe. Our next adventure is more of a one on one personal adventure. I have too now become hands on, teaching the client how to have their own independent adventure, learning how to exercise and eat healthy. I have made handouts and charts to teach them. This is for the client too take them home and follow the day by day structure. Then they are off too explore on there own until I see them next week.
9/9/2018 0 Comments The Writing ProcessThis blog is about these three readings. The writing process is not always the first draft. It sometimes takes a long time, you need to step away from your writing. By stepping away your mind gets clear and ready to continue writing. Sometimes writing ideas comes quick like a speed racer, other times your writing ideas comes after a long marathon of overnighters. Each way to write is as good as the other way depends on the individual writer.
Against Vanity: In Praise of Revision (Mary Karr)
9/6/2018 2 Comments The Proust Questionnaire The Proust Questionnaire(https://www.vanityfair.com/magazine/2000/01/proust-questionnaire/amp) was a challenge for me. I have a hard time talking about myself to other people. The Questionnaire made me answer personal questions that sometimes I don't even think about. This is a good thing if I am going to write an autobiography. I feel like a good writer must face themselves. Sometimes yourself is the hardest thing to write about.
__1.__What is your idea of perfect happiness? My perfect happiness will be having a wife and kids with a house in California with a career job. __2.__What is your greatest fear? My greatest fear is failing. __3.__What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? The trait I deplore the most is that I procrastinate sometimes on things. __4.__What is the trait you most deplore in others? That people have a one-way mindset that they are not open for change. __5.__Which living person do you most admire? The most person I admire is Colin Kaepernick because he stands up for what he believes in. __6.__What is your greatest extravagance? clothes __7.__What is your current state of mind? My current state of mind is getting a degree in business, so I can get a career job, and also work hard in basketball to go overseas to play. __8.__What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Being rich. __9.__On what occasion do you lie? I lie to the cops. __10.__What do you most dislike about your appearance? I don’t like my tattoos I got them when I was younger and don’t like them. __11.__Which living person do you most despise? The living person I most despise is Donald Trump. __12.__What is the quality you most like in a man? Loyal __13.__What is the quality you most like in a woman? Honesty, trustworthy, faithful __14.__Which words or phrases do you most overuse? Your annoying __15.__What or who is the greatest love of your life? My family __16.__When and where were you happiest? I am happiest at family vacations on the beach. __17.__Which talent would you most like to have? I would like to cut hair. __18.__If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? My anger __19.__What do you consider your greatest achievement? So far my greatest achievement would be getting my High School Diploma, and my Personal Training certification. __20.__If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be? Lebron James __21.__Where would you most like to live? California. __22.__What is your most treasured possession? Basketball __23.__What do you regard as the lowest depth of misery? When you lose a loved one. __24.__What is your favorite occupation? Personal training. __25.__What is your most marked characteristic? I am a team player. I am and honest kind person. __26.__What do you most value in your friends? I most value in my friend’s loyalty and honesty. __27.__Who are your favorite writers? Alex Haley __28.__Who is your hero of fiction? Batman __29.__Which historical figure do you most identify with? Muhammad Ali because he stood up for his rights and had good confidence and he didn’t want to go to war or fight people that didn’t do anything to him. __30.__Who are your heroes in real life? This one guy that gave me the Heimlich maneuver when I was choking on a sandwich one day. __31.__What are your favorite names? My favorite names are London. __32.__What is it that you most dislike? The most thing I dislike is people killing one another in Philadelphia. __33.__What is your greatest regret? My greatest regret is making some mistakes when I was younger. __34.__How would you like to die? I would like to die peaceful. __35.__What is your motto? Hard work pays off. |
StevenI am going to use this blog page to build my writing and to let others see it and get feedback. ArchivesCategories |